New furniture giant: XXXLutz takes over Porta Group-what's coming now?

New furniture giant: XXXLutz takes over Porta Group-what's coming now?

Today, the furniture industry in Germany is facing a fundamental change, since XXXLutz has announced the takeover of the Porta Group. This step has the potential to change the competitive relationships and the corporate landscape significantly. The Porta Group, which operates over 140 locations in Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, is a traditional company that has existed since 1965 and includes the brands SB furniture Boss and ASKO. Porta's turnover in 2023 was over 1.1 billion euros, while XXXLutz achieved impressive sales of six billion euros and is one of the largest furniture retailers in the world.

The takeover is subject to the Federal Cartel Office, which will carefully check the existing competitive relationships. Paul de Jong, managing director of Porta-Holding, commented on the decision and described it as strategically necessary to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the Porta Group. The employment contracts of the approximately 6,000 employees should remain unaffected by the takeover, and layoffs are not planned. On the other hand, it is unclear whether the established brand names such as Porta or Furniture Boss will be preserved after the acquisition.

comprehensive changes in the Bad Vilbeler furniture store

Another important project affects the furniture store in Bad Vilbel, which is to be torn down and rebuilt. XXXLutz plans to remove the existing furniture store in Dortelweil and to develop a new concept in which other specialist markets are to be integrated. Possible new location partners are food discounters, a zoo special market, the facility market jysk and a bicycle specialist market. Gastronomic offers should also become part of the new concept.

The city of Bad Vilbel has already applied for a target deviation procedure to implement the planning. Mayor Sebastian Wysocki informed that talks with the Darmstadt regional council take place in order to clarify the permits. The last decision of the regional assembly is still expected in the first half of 2025, and Mayor Wysocki emphasized that the planning for the furniture store continued without restrictions.

market in upheaval

The takeover of Porta by XXXLutz is not only a tactical decision, but also reflects the increasing pressure that smaller competitors are exposed to in furniture trade. With the citizens of the XXXLutz group, which has also comprised the Home24 online retailer since 2023, new dynamics are being created in the market.

The acquisition is also in the context of a global market concentration that puts the business models under pressure under pressure. XXXLutz is known for its strong position in online furniture trade and plans to expand options for consumers through increased presence in both inpatient and online areas.